Supporting Children with Special Needs

At St Elizabeth’s, we believe that all our pupils are entitled to an inclusive education where they can make progress and achieve their full potential, irrespective of special educational needs or disability.  It is our intention that all children receive a broad and balanced curriculum which enables them to develop the skills, knowledge and self-confidence to make a successful transition to their next stage in education and ultimately into adulthood.

At St Elizabeth’s, Quality First Teaching meets the needs of the majority of pupils through personalisation and differentiation to remove barriers to learning.  Some children need educational provision that is additional to or different from this basic entitlement.  Those who require provision that is personalised to a high degree and required to be delivered for the longer term, can be described as having a special educational need (SEND).

Any child with this level of provision will have a ‘SEND Learning Plan’, outlining their:

• Strengths and needs
• Attainment and progress
• Outside agency involvement
• Recommended strategies
• Planned provision

Quality First Teaching underpins special educational provision and teachers are responsible for the progress of every child, including those with SEND.

St Elizabeth’s has a dedicated member of staff called a SENCo (Special Educational Needs and/or Disabilities Co-ordinator) who co-ordinates special educational needs provision across the school.  The SENCo supports class teachers and staff to meet the needs of pupils with SEND and liaises with external professionals, parents and carers.

Mrs Joanne Compton is our SENCo.  Mrs Compton can be contacted by telephone on the school office number: 0208 940 3015.  

For more detailed information about our approach to meeting the needs of pupils with SEND please read our School SEN Information Report below. 

Achieving for Children Local Offer

The Richmond local offer of services provided via Achieving for Children can be found at www.kr.afcinfo.org.uk/local_offer and they can be contacted by telephone on 0208 547 4722 or via email at the following address: sendlocaloffer@achievingforchildren.org.uk

Richmond Parent Carer Forum

Richmond Parent Carer Forum (PCF) is an independent group run by parents for parents or carers of children who have any form of special educational need or disability.  Children do not need an official diagnosis for parents to become members and they support families of children with any type of additional need including learning difficulties like dyslexia.  

Email: information@richmondpcf.org.uk

Website: www.richmondpcf.org.uk

Facebook: www.facebook.com/richmondpcf/

SEND Information, Advice and Support (SENDIASS)

The Information, Advice and Support Service (SENDIASS) in Kingston and Richmond offers advice and support across a wide range of subjects.  These services offer advice to children and young people as well as parents and carers.

Freephone number: 08081645527

Email: info@RKsendiass.co.uk

Website: www.rksendiass.co.uk

Admissions Arrangements for Children with SEND

The admission arrangements for children with SEND but without an Education, Health and Care Plan follow the same process as any mainstream admission.  We do not discriminate against or disadvantage disabled children or those with special educational needs and will follow the usual school admissions procedures.  Admission arrangements for children with an Education, Health and Care Plan are made through the Local Authority’s SEND Team in consultation with parents/carers and the school’s senior leaders.